NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government to Hold Fourt...

The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (COELIG or the Commission) will hold its fourth annual public hearing on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, providing members of the public the opportunity to comment in person, by videoconference, or in writing, Executive Director Sanford N. Berland announced today. The public hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the New York City Bar Association located at 42 W 44th Street, New York, NY.  

“Increasing public trust in government requires accountability, transparency, and the desire for feedback,” Executive Director Berland said. “Our annual public hearing provides New Yorkers the opportunity to share their perspectives on the Commission’s work, to identify areas where we are meeting expectations, and to offer suggestions on how we can better serve the people of the state. We encourage all interested stakeholders and members of the public to participate and help shape the Commission’s ongoing efforts.”   

“The Commission firmly believes that meaningful public engagement is essential to good government,” Chair Seymour W. James, Jr. said. “Each year, we deeply value the testimony we receive as it helps us evaluate and improve our operations and policy development while ensuring the Commission is fulfilling its mission as effectively as possible. We look forward to this year’s input that will inform our work to promote integrity and ultimately strengthen confidence in state government.”

Public Comment Period and Attendance

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments concerning the Commission’s current operations and its governing laws, regulations and advisory opinions; what it’s doing well, and how the Commission can more effectively perform its many tasks and carry out its mandate to restore public confidence that state government is working in the public interest. A compilation of the ethics and lobbying laws under the Commission’s jurisdiction, as well as its regulations, are available on the Commission’s website.    

Comments and tangible recommendations received will be taken into consideration for operational process improvements and expansions. The Commission will use feedback from commenters to better gauge its strengths, weaknesses, and how it can continue to better serve the public. 

To ensure that all who wish to be heard, whether in person or remotely, can be accommodated, all members of the public wishing to provide oral testimony are asked to sign up in advance by sending an email to [email protected] by September 22, 2026. Video conference participation in the hearing will also be available from the Commission’s office at the following location:

Written testimony may be submitted in lieu of, or in conjunction with, in-person or remote testimony at the hearing by submission to [email protected] by October 7, 2026. The hearing will also be livestreamed on the Commission’s website.

Information on this and prior years’ public hearings is also available. 

About the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government  

Established by the 2022 Ethics Commission Reform Act (ECRA) and made effective in July 2022, the Commission’s charge is to foster public trust in government by ensuring compliance with the state’s ethics and lobbying laws and regulations. It has jurisdiction over more than 330,000 officers and employees at state agencies and departments, including commissions, boards, state public benefit corporations, public authorities, SUNY, CUNY, and the statutory closely affiliated corporations; the four statewide elected officials and candidates for those offices; employees and members of the state Legislature and legislative candidates; and state and local lobbyists and their clients.      

The Commission administers, enforces, and interprets New York’s ethics and lobbying laws by providing information, education, and guidance regarding ethics and lobbying laws; promoting compliance through audits, investigations, and enforcement proceedings; issuing formal and informal advisory opinions; and promulgating regulations implementing the laws under its jurisdiction.     

The Commission promotes transparency by conducting its proceedings publicly to the fullest extent permitted by law and by making the financial and other disclosures filed by those subject to the Commission’s authority publicly available. These disclosures include, but are not limited to, annual financial disclosure statements filed by over 36,000 individuals, and millions of records contained in registrations and activity and expense reports filed by lobbyists and their clients.     

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